Dental retainer and former



June 4, 1957 D. REITER DmTAL RETAINER AND 1:01am

Filed May 7, 1956 INV EN TOR.

PJWZD 3512K? I 17.? rag w?" United States The invention relates to improved devices for application to the teeth in order to provide restorations or other beneficial results.

' Various appliances for this purpose have been made and applicant has obtained a number of patents on the subject. For instance, Patent No. 2,572,198, dated October 23, 1951, describes and claims such a device which has been found practical in use. In my Patent No. 2,617,196, dated November 11, 1952, an improved form of the device is described and claimed which is substantially more convenient to use than that of the earlier patent. In my Patent No. 2,686,970, there is set forth a still further improvement in the device which has been found eminently satisfactory in practical use. It has the special advantage. that the device enables the dental band to fit securely over the tooth without hampering the movements of the dentist or causing undue discomfort in the patient. However, still further improvement in the device is possible and the present invention seeks to further improve the same.

A still further improvement is set forth in my Patent No. 2,709,302, the retainer being simplified in construction and more efiective in operation. It embodies a latching device for holding the matrix band firmly in position on the tooth. In my co-pending application Serial No. 512,663, filed June 2, 1955, now Patent No. 2,786,273, granted March 26, 1957, entitled All-Purpose Dental Retainer, I have described a still further improvement in such retainers, with particular emphasis upon a structure of a grip plate to prevent slippage of the matrix band, which has proven quite satisfactory in use. i

In connection with the use of such retainers, it has been found that a considerable amount of tension is required in order to tighten the matrix band upon a tooth to be treated. Such treatments may be of several types, including restoration of decayed portions of teeth and the application of orthodontia to teeth in order to obtain proper alinement. As often happens, many teeth have a relatively large occlusal portion and a relatively small neck portion including those teeth which have a marked bell shape. In order to tighten or stretch the matrix band on teeth of this kind with the proper devices, considerable eifort was required in order to tighten the band uniformly over the entire surface of the tooth and to provide a uniform tension on the band over the entire area. 7

The present invention is intended and adapted to overcome the difficulties and disadvantages inherent in prior devices of the type described, it being among the objects of the present invention to provide a matrix holder which is adapted to provide a constant tens-ion at the neck of the tooth where the circumference of the tooth is substantially smaller than at the occlusal portion.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide a device of the type described, which provides a more ready accessibility for the insertion of a matrix thereof preliminary to the final tightening.

therein and for convenience and ease in hand tightening atent O Patented June 4, 1957 It is further among the objects of the present invention to provide a matrix retainer which minimizes the tensions necessary in properly'fitting the band to the tooth, thus avoiding accidental damage or breakage.

It is still further among the objects of the present mvention to provide a retainer which will enable the operator to apply two bands on adjacent teeth simultaneously, thus facilitating the treatment of a plurality of teeth.

In practicing the present invention, there is provided a dental retainer of any suitable type and particularly of the type described in the patents and application referred to above. The retainer includes a pivoted head through which the folded matrix band is threaded. The pivoted or swivel head includes a pair of superposed plates which are spaced apart a sufiicient distance to permit the doubled band to be readily inserted therein. These plates are connected together along one side only to form a slot which is open on the other side. Preferably the slot is of narrow V-shape and may also be somewhat modified to provide a U-shape'.

In preferred form of the invention, there is provided a. third plate which is connected with the first two plates in such a manner as to provide a second slot-open at one side. The openings of the two slots are on opposite sides of the head. A transverse cross-section through the head shows an N-shape. r p

There are a number of advantages inherent in this construction. The operator or dentist fits a loop of'matrix band into one of theslots, with the open end of said slot on the occlusal rim of a tooth. The retainer may be thus mounted either on the buccal face of a tooth or on the lingual face thereof, depending upon the location of the teeth and the convenience in setting the retainer in position so as not to interfere with the subsequent operations. For instance, onthe lower right side of the jaw, he would mount the retainer on the lingual face, and on the upper right side it would be mounted on the buccal face of the tooth. I

Therefore, applicant has provided a retainer having a flexible head which may be mounted on either face of an upper or lower tooth and by a moderate tension form the band around the tooth automatically, whereby it conforms with the flare or shape of the tooth even if it has an exaggerated bell shape. In tightening the retainer there is assurance that the tension over the entire area of the band will be constant and such tension is adequate even at the neck of a tooth. By reason of the close fit of the band, overhanging margins of a filling are eliminated. This uniform tension is a result of the open side of the head and in part due to the V-shape of the slot, allowing an easy movement of the hand during the tightening operation, thereby forming it about the tooth.

The invention eliminates the necessity for using wedges or splints, thus saving time for the operator and discomfort for the patient. Thus restoration of occlusal contact points and the restoring of filling anatomically is obtained. Also the removal of the retainer from the tooth after completion of the operation is facilitated. By the use of the present retainer, it is poss'ble to provide bands on two teeth at the same time. In order to do so, one of the loops of the band is inserted in one of the slots with the loop facing in a predetermined direction. Then a second loop is inserted into the second slot with the loop facing in the same direction. Then the two loops are tightened by hand, after which the retainer is tightened by means of the screw arrangement, whereby both' loops are simultaneously tightened about the two teeth to be treated, with uniform tension over the areas of both loops. Then the dentist may treat two teeth at a time, with less discomfort to the patient and with the saving of considerable time.

The invention is more fully described in connection with the accompanying drawing constituting a part hereof in which like "reference characters indicate like -parts, and in whioh- Fig. 1 is a perspective view, of my irnpnoveddentalretainer, showing one form ofthe invention; M

Fig. .2 is afragmentary enlarged perspective .view of the upper end ofthe retainer looking-from the left of Fig. ,1; I

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 3,3 of Fig. 2, and ihaving a matrix band in p en;

Fig. ,4 is a fragmentary frontview of .the embodiment shown in Fig. 2; v V

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the upper-end of the retainer and having-a modifiedformofhead; T

Fig. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the embodi-v ment shown in Fig. 5;, V

F g. 7 is a frontelevational iew th r of- Fig. .8 is a sectional view taken-on line 8 -8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

The'general structure of the retainerand functioning thereof are fully described in co-pending application Serial No. 512,663. Generally the retainer consists of a base 1, with a bracket 2 pivoted at'the upper end thereof by pin 3. A head 4 is mounted on anangular extension of bracket 2 by pin 5, permitting oscillatingmovement of the head; Attached to carriage 6;.is a bolt 7 operating in slot 8 of slide 9. A plate 10-pivotedon bolt 7 has a transverse slot 11 through which the band maybe threaded, A knob12 attached to a screw-12' constitutes means for shifting the various elernents during the use thereof as described in the above mentionedap ,lication fQLpatent.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. l to 4, head, 4 consists of a flat plate 13 throughwhich pin 5 passes. .Parallel thereto and superposed thereon is a similar plate 14 connected thereto at one side'15, and the plates beingfree at the opposite side 16,- The slot thus formed has a U-, shape in cross-section. Plate '14 has an extension or tongue l'] over which loop 18, whichis pivoted onhinge 18' of plate 13, isadapted to be rotated as shown in Fig. l.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the swivel head consists ofa lower flat plate 13 having superimposed thereon and spaced therefrom plate 14., the two plates being connected along one side A third plate 19 is superimposed upon plate 14' and spaced therefrom, beingconnected thereto along side 20. As shown in Fig. 7, plates 13' and 14' diverge slightly forming a V-shape. Similarly plates 14/ and 19; diverge. in the opposite direction, forming'a V-shape.

Although the invention has been described setting forth two specific embodiments thereof, various changes in the details of construction may be made within the scope of the invention. For instance, connections 15, 15' and 20 need not be rounded but may be at acute angles forming definite V shapes. In such case, th appearance of the swivel head as shown in Fig. 7 would have an N shape. The mechanism whereby the retainer maybe operated need not be the mechanisms shown in my prior patents and application for patent, but the improvement described and claimed herein may {be usediniconnection with other types of retainers.

Therefore, the invention is to be broadlyconstrued and not to be limited except by the character .of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a dental rnatrix retainer havingabase, a longitudinally movable carriag thereon, means for holding and Iighteninga matrixband pivotally mounted thereon, the improvement which oomprises a .bracketflhaving-ta pivot pin extending therefrom, a swivel head integral ;,with said bracket and transverse. thereto, said swivel head avingv a'.pai ;o.fsup rposed plat sspaced. apart and con-: nected together at one side only forming a slot .-open--:at the Qthers de- 2. In a dental matrix retainer having a base, a longitudinally movable carriage thereon, means for holding and tightening a matrix band pivotally mounted thereon, the improvement which comprises a bracket having a pivot pin extending therefrom, a swivel head integral with said bracket and transverse thereto, said swivel head having a pair of superposed plates spaced apart and connected together at one side only forming a slot open at the other side, said slot diverging from said connected side.

3. In a dental matrix retainer having a base, a longitudinally movable carriage thereon, means for holding and tightening a matrix band pivotally mounted thereon, the improvement which comprises a bracket having a pivot pin extendingtherefrom, a-swivel head integral with said bracket and transverse thereto, said swivel head having a pair of superposed substantially parallel plates spaced apart and connected together at one side only forming a slot open at the otherside.

4. In a dental matrix retainer having a base, a longi tudinally movable carriage thereon, means for holding and tightening a matrix band pivotally mounted thereon, the improvement which comprises a bracket having a pivot pin extending. therefrom, a swivel head integral with said bracket and transverse thereto, said swivel head having a pair of superposedplates spaced apart and connected together at one side only forming a slot open at the other side, the first of said plates being attached to said bracket and the second plate being superposed on said first plate.

5. In a dental matrix retainer having a base, a longitudinally movable carriage thereon, means for holding and tightening a matrix band pivotally mounted thereon, the improvement which comprises a bracket having a pivot pin extending therefrom, a swivel head integral with said bracket and transverse thereto, said swivel head having a pair of superposed plates spaced apart and connected together at one side only forming a slot open at-the other side, the first of said plates being attached to said bracket and the second plate being superposed on said first plate, a third plate, superposed on said second plate and attached thereto at said other side orming a second slot open at said one side. i v

6. In a dental matrix retainer having a base, .a longi-. tudinally movable carriage theron, means'for holding and tighening a matrix band pivotally mounted thereon, the improvement which comprises a bracket having a pivot pin extending therefrom, a swivel head integral with said bracket and transverse thereto, said swivel head having a pair of superposed plates spaced apart and connected to-. gether at one side only forming a slot open at the other side, the first of said plates being attached to said bracket and the second plate being superposed on said first plate, a third plate superposed on said second plate and attached thereto at said other side forming a second slot open at said one side, said slots diverging i -opposite directions.

7. In a dental matrix'retainer having a base, a longitudinally mov able carriage thereon, means for holding and tightening a matrix band pivotally mounted thereon, the improvement which comprises a bracket having a pivot pin extending therefrom, a swivel head integral with said bracket and transverse thereto, said swivel head having a pair of superposed plates spaced apart and con-v nected together atone side only forming a slot open at the other side, the first of said plates being attached to said bracket and the second plate being superposed on said first plate, a third plate superposed on said second plate and attached thereto at said other side forming a second slot open at said one side, said slots in transverse cross section having an N-shape.

8. In a dental matrix retainer having a base, a longitudi; nally movable carriage thereon, means for holding and tightening a matrix band pivotally mounted thereon, the

improvement which comprises a bracket having a pivotpin extending therefrom, a swivel head integral withsaid bracket; and transverse thereto, said swivel head having a pair of superposed-plates.spaced.apartand connected together at one side only forming a slot open at the other side, said slot having a V-shape.

9. In a dental matrix retainer having a base, a longitudinally movable carriage thereon, means for holding and tightening a matrix band pivotally mounted thereon, the improvement which comprises a bracket having a pivot pin extending therefrom, a swivel head integral with said bracket and transverse thereto, said swivel head having a pair of superposed plates spaced apart and connected together at one side only forming a slot open at the other side, the first of said plates being attached to said bracket and the second plate being superposed on said first plate, a third plate superposed on said second plate and attached thereto at said other side forming a second slot open at said one side, said slots diverging in opposite directions and having a U-shape.

10. In a dental matrix retainer having a base, a longitudinally movable carriage thereon, means for holding and tightening a matrix band pivotally mounted thereon, the improvement which comprises a bracket having a pivot pin extending therefrom, a swivel head integral with said bracket and transverse thereto, said swivel head having a pair of superposed plates spaced apart and connected together at one side only forming a slot open at the other side, the outer of said plates having a projecting tongue, said tongue being relatively long at the connection between said plates and relatively short at the free sides thereof.

11. In a dental matrix retainer having a base, a longitudinally movable carriage thereon, means for holding and tightening a matrix band pivotally mounted thereon, the improvement which comprises a bracket having a pivot pin extending therefrom, a swivel head integral with said bracket and transverse thereto, said swivel head having a pair of superposed plates spaced apart and connected together at one side only forming a slot open at the other side, the first of said plates being attached to said bracket and the second plate being superposed on said first plate, a third plate superposed on said second plate and attached thereto at said other side forming a second slot open at said one side, the outer of said plates having a projecting tongue, said tongue being relatively long at the connection between said plates and relatively short at the free sides thereof.

No references cited. 

